Canis lupus ligoni

The Alexander Archipelago Wolf is a subspecies of the Gray Wolf. It is named after the southeastern Alaskan island chain where it is found. These wolves have been isolated from other North American wolves by water and mountains. Their limited gene pool have make them a smaller and lighter type wolf. They prey upon Sitka black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis) and salmon. Logging within their habitat has impacted deer numbers and therefore, decreased the number of wolves.

The Alexander Archipelago Wolf roams most of southeast Alaska from Yakutat Bay to Dixon Entrance. It is not found on the Admiralty, Baranof, and Chichagof Islands. It is now thought that these wolves may have evolved from a larger subspecific group (C. l. nubilus) that at one time inhabited most of the contiguous Western United States. This is supported by genetic research which indicates that Alexander Archipelago Wolf shares a common allele not found in wolves from Alaska's interior.

The Alexander Archipelago Wolf lives in areas which are changing rapidly due to growth in the human population, road access within habitat, and loss of deer habitat due to excessive logging. The Alexander Archipelago Wolf is in danger of disappearing. Due to pressure interest pressure this wolf has not been put on the endangered species list.

Canis lupus ligoni

Subspecies of Gray Wolf

Southeastern Alaskan island chain

30-50 pounds

Light Gray to Creamy White in coloration

Dark to light grey to pure black to combinations of black and white to a much brighter cinnamon color